Friday, March 6, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Jacob Robbins

Jacob E. Robbins is a lifelong Berkshire County resident, heralding from West Stockbridge. His family used to own a Bed and Breakfast there. He covers the towns of Lee, Stockbridge, West Stockbridge, and the surrounding areas, writing about the issues that affect the communities. He writes about politics, education, the environment, and technology. An alum of Monument Mountain Regional High School, he is a recent graduate of American University in Washington, D.C, holding dual degrees in Political Science and Literature. He currently resides in West Stockbridge. You can follow Jacob on Twitter @JacobERobbins and email him at jrobbins@theberkshireedge.com

written articles

PCB dump and fights over the future dominate marathon Lee town meeting

The town voted to approve a petition to change its town meeting format, as well as most of the controversial warrant articles relating to a planned PCB dump.

Controversial articles on PCB dump lead list of items for Lee annual town meeting

Here is your primer for Lee's annual town meeting, which will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, on the football field of the Lee Middle and High School.

Solution reached in West Stockbridge road dispute, long-term fix still in question

Announced last night on the restaurant's Facebook page, an interim solution has been reached between Trúc Orient Express and The Foundry.

Budgets, consultant funding, pass at marathon Stockbridge annual town meeting

Despite a session that exceeded five hours, it was still largely business as usual, with all but one warrant article being approved. 

Despite small budget increase, Stockbridge town meeting set for some minor clashes

Residents attending the meeting, scheduled for Saturday, June 12 at 10 a.m., will discuss and vote on 55 warrant articles.

Sheffield votes to limit outdoor marijuana farms

At a special town meeting Monday night, citizens voted to restrict the number of outdoor marijuana cultivation sites, but some residents remain frustrated.

Thorny West Stockbridge road dispute moves toward solution

At the special selectboard meeting last night, Chairman Eric Shimelonis announced that the two parties had entered into a discussion that would keep the private road open.

For Lee schools, a reopening months in the making

“This was no small feat,” said Lee Public Schools Superintendent Michael Richard. "Anything that was accomplished — it wasn’t my work alone.”

Tensions erupt at West Stockbridge Selectboard meeting over road closure

The dispute centers around the closure of The Foundry’s private access road to through traffic on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 5 p.m.

Life beyond the classroom: 6 hours with the Clinton campaign

There’s an old saying that’s thrown around a lot if you’re around enough to hear it: Iowa picks corn — New Hampshire picks presidents.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren urges BCC graduates to believe in themselves

“Each time I fought for something I believed in, and won, I believed I could do it again.” -- U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, addressing the Berkshire Community College graduating class

A walk down ‘Polio Boulevard’ with author Karen Chase at Monument Mountain High School

Local author and polio survivor, Karen Chase, shared her experiences with a new generation. addressing an Advanced Placement Language and Composition Class at Monument Mountain Regional High School.

Monument renovation is more than just numbers 

Jacob Robbins, a junior at Monument Mountain Regional High School, pleads for voters to approve the school's renovation: "I am imploring everyone to please vote yes on the renovation project. If we are to continue to foster an incredible learning space for the kids of today and the kids of tomorrow we must adapt: The building cannot sustain itself for much longer."

The day I don’t remember: Visiting the 9/11 Memorial

Monument Mountain Regional High School junior Jacob Robbins was in preschool when al-Qaeda terrorists flew two commandeered aircraft into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, toppling the towers and killing more than 3,000. He recently visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City to find connections to a day he doesn't remember.

Music as a journey through life: A conversation with Max Weiner

"Working to get better at my music means I can achieve more. That’s the beauty of it. It’s exponential growth as the better you get, the more you realize you have so much more distance to climb." -- Monument Mountain senior Max Weiner who will be attending Oberlin College and Conservatory in the fall.

Law and Order: A conversation with D.A. David F. Capeless

The one case that stands out for him is the one that all America was watching: The 1992 killings at Simon’s Rock College of Bard by Wayne Lo, one of the first school shootings.
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